Win a trip to Amsterdam and a chance to have your selfie displayed at Rembrandt exhibition
We want YOU to take a selfie on your phone inspired by one of Rembrandt’s famous paintings to be in with a chance of having your pic displayed at the All The Rembrandts exhibition
HERE is your chance to hang out with the man who invented the selfie.
Next month the biggest-ever tribute to Rembrandt, the artist who created more self-portraits than any other painter, opens in Amsterdam.
The exhibition will feature 400 of the master’s pictures PLUS a selfie created by a lucky Sun reader.
We want YOU to take a photo on your phone inspired by one of Rembrandt’s works — a selfie, or a group snap with mates or family.
And the winning Sun phone photo will be displayed at the Rijksmuseum, which is marking the 350th anniversary of Rembrandt’s death with a massive exhibition.
Our winner and a guest will win a two-night stay in Amsterdam, with a private tour of the All The Rembrandts exhibition.
A life in pictures
- MILLER’S son Rembrandt van Rijn was born in Leiden in 1606 and painted his first selfie aged 22 – going for a moody look.
- Moved to Amsterdam in 1631. Painted portraits of the rich and married Saskia, daughter of a posh lawyer. His sexy sketches of her sold like hot cakes.
- When Saskia became ill he hired a young woman, Geertje, to help in the house. She and Rembrandt were soon lovers.
- On Saskia’s death in 1642, Geertje expected Rembrandt to marry her, but he did not. She later sued him for breach of promise, by which time the artist was sleeping with another servant girl. To shut Geertje up, he committed her to an asylum where she stayed for 12 years.
- Lavish lifestyle saw painter, 50, declared bankrupt in 1656.
- Painted the last of nearly 100 self-portraits shortly before he died in October 1669, aged 63.
Museum director Taco Dibbits said: “When you see the see the hundreds of prints and paintings Rembrandt created it’s like looking at somebody’s social media account.
“He was the first painter who recorded the world around him. He created portraits of himself laughing and pulling faces, groups of people messing about, his wife in bed and even two people making love, though that picture would probably be deleted!
“Today if you see somebody funny in the street you take a photo and post it on social media. Well, Rembrandt would make a quick drawing or an etching of what he saw and sell it. Just like today’s social media stars, Rembrandt’s selfies were propaganda for himself.
"He was fascinated by expressions and painted himself looking amazed or laughing, something we’re still fascinated by today.”
Here are Taco Dibbit's tips to make a winning picture
SELFIE
Rembrandt did more than 100 selfies in lifetime. He loved to do pictures of himself laughing and making crazy facial expressions. He has no filter and doesn’t make it more beautiful than it is. If he had a spot or didn’t shave that morning he depicts it.
FRIENDS and FAMILY
Rembrandt often used friends and family as models. He was fascinated by old people and didn’t shy away from their imperfections.
He painted the wrinkles of old age and cellulite.
GROUP SHOTS
It is really boring when you take a formal portrait of a group of people and Rembrandt felt the same.
His group shots were like pictures you take on your phone with people in action, moving around.
In his most famous painting, The Night Watch, he was supposed to paint a formal picture of soldiers on duty, instead the captures them getting ready.
Taco will be one of our expert judges who will pick the best Sun Reader Rembrandt selfie.
To enter, check out Rembrandt’s pictures in a gallery or online for inspiration, then take as many pictures as you like and upload them by midnight on the night of Monday, February 4.
- All The Rembrandts is on at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam from Feb 15 to June 10. For terms and conditions, click here.